This post exposes me a little, but if it helps someone else it’s all worth it. Fear and favor. These two cannot be possessed at the same time. I had two situations where I needed some grace because I had made a few miscalculations. Now, my first reaction in both situations was to worry and perseverate on all the places I went wrong. Then I exhaust my mental capacity trying to find a solution to my problems. Do I go searching all of our accounts, pulling every dollar and dime to attempt to cover the deficit, do I return those shoes for the boys and those long overdue sunglasses I bought (on sale)? Do I skip over the superior at my job and just file my stuff, so I can minimize the rebuke for having late paperwork? Several other thoughts crossed my mind, damming up all my neural pathways and causing my muscles to become tense and my head to hurt.
In both situations I don’t have a choice but to involve other people in my mess and ask for help. For an independent person like myself who doesn’t like handouts, this is tough. Because now, I must deal with the opinions of people. I’m nervous and ashamed. Will they help me or just judge me for my mistakes. Just as the blood of Jesus covers a multitude of sin, his mercy covers a boatload of stupidity. And because he loves us, we can find favor in him, minimizing the damage of our mistakes. But I did say before that I don’t like handouts. I try to not make mistakes and if I do, I try to fix it before anyone ever knew it existed. Unfortunately this is not a foolproof method. When we rely solely on ourselves, knowing the likelihood that eventually we will fall short, we leave the door open for fear. Since I had already made a mistake, a welcome mat was laid in front of the door in which fear has occasionally entered my life. Anyone who has experienced fear, knows it is paralyzing. In both of my situations I hesitated on asking for help and attempted to avoid exposing myself out of fear of rebuke or judgement. Being a strong believer in the Word of God, I knew I was entertaining fear and chose God’s mercy and favor instead. Needless to say I made it through both situations with very little damages. If I had not had his favor, I could have been penalized on my job, or hungry because we only money for the kids to eat.
Proverbs 8:35 speaks of wisdom, and shares that those who find wisdom receive favor. Being the Proverbs 31 women that we are, we should always embrace the fact that we have favor. So if fear is prohibiting you from doing something, there is no way you can obtain favor in that situation. I was nervous and even ashamed, but I did what was necessary (used wisdom) to correct the situation. I did not let fear hold me back and favor was waiting for me. Overcoming fear is essential for the deliverance and prosperity of not only yourself but your family. What I’ve shared is a very basic example. Some situations that require you to overcome fear are life and death situations and may even bring some pain, but the favor that rests on the other side of you making a decision to move is inevitable. I heard a great pastor use the term “trusting but trembling”, meaning you may be nervous and even afraid but you must move forward fully trusting God with your knees shaking and teeth chattering. God’s big enough to pull us through and even propel us into things so much greater than we could ever imagine.
Proverbs 8:35 – For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. (speaking of wisdom)
Proverbs 18:22 -The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.
